Tessa Quinn
Hospitals are essential for treating the seriously ill or injured, caring for new mothers and their babies, and performing surgeries. As of 2025, there are 6,093 hospitals in the United States, employing about 6.6 million people across various positions, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, catering staff, and support staff. On average, each hospital in the US employs 982 people, but this number can vary depending on factors such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. With the healthcare sector being one of the fastest-growing industries, it will be interesting to see how hospital employee numbers change in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average number of employees per hospital in the US | 982 |
| Number of employees in US hospitals | 5.7 million as of 2022 |
| Number of employees in the healthcare sector in the US | 22 million as of 2019 |
| Number of employees in US hospitals who are registered nurses | 30% |
| Number of physicians employed by public system hospitals | Over 80 |
| Number of physicians employed by freestanding hospitals | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
The average hospital employs 982 people
The healthcare sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the United States, accounting for 14% of total employment. In 2019, there were 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US, with 6.6 million of those working in hospitals. This averages out to 982 employees per hospital.
The number of employees at each hospital depends on several factors, including location, the number of beds, and the size of the community served. Hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ the fewest staff, at 98 on average, while the largest hospitals, often in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people.
The types of roles in a hospital are varied and include physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. On average, public system hospitals employ over 80 physicians, freestanding hospitals employ around seven, and private voluntary system hospitals employ a similar number. IO system hospitals employ less than one physician, on average.
The healthcare sector is facing staff shortages, with 65% of nursing home staff reporting negative patient outcomes due to staff shortages. By 2026, there is expected to be a shortage of 3.2 million low-wage health workers in the United States.
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30% of hospital employees are registered nurses
In the United States, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees as of September 2019, with a national ratio of 50 people per hospital employee. However, this ratio varies across states, with Puerto Rico, Utah, Nevada, and California having the highest ratios, and the District of Columbia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, and West Virginia having the lowest.
Among hospital employees, registered nurses made up the largest occupation, accounting for approximately 30% of the total hospital workforce as of May 2019. This equates to over 1.8 million registered nurses working in hospitals, with an annual mean wage of $79,400. The demand for registered nurses is expected to increase, with a projected employment growth of 6% from 2023 to 2023, outpacing the average growth rate for all occupations.
Registered nurses play a crucial role in healthcare, providing direct patient care in various specialties such as psychiatric-mental health or pediatrics. They also serve in leadership roles, educating and advising other nursing staff, and conducting research to improve the quality of care. Additionally, registered nurses may transition to the business side of healthcare, utilizing their expertise in management, health planning, development, marketing, and consulting roles within the healthcare industry.
The path to becoming a registered nurse typically involves one of three educational routes: obtaining a bachelor's degree in nursing, an associate's degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Some employers, particularly hospitals, may prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree. Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners, require a master's degree, and many hold doctoral degrees.
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Hospitals with 6-24 beds employ the fewest staff
The number of employees at a hospital depends on various factors, such as location, the number of beds, and the size of the community it serves. The average hospital in the United States employs 982 people, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. However, the number of employees per hospital can vary significantly.
Hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ the fewest staff, with an average of 98 employees. In contrast, the largest hospitals, typically located in metropolitan areas, can have over 4,900 employees. The type of hospital also plays a role in staffing numbers. For example, public system hospitals employ over 80 physicians on average, while freestanding hospitals employ approximately seven.
The healthcare sector in the United States is one of the largest employment sectors, accounting for 14% of total employment. As of 2019, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees in the country, with a national ratio of 50 people per hospital employee. The number of hospital employees varies by state, with Puerto Rico, Utah, Nevada, and California having the highest ratios, while the District of Columbia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, and West Virginia have the lowest.
The demand for healthcare workers has resulted in the sector becoming one of the fastest-growing in terms of employment. Between 2018 and 2019, the total number of workers in the healthcare sector grew by over 1.5 million. However, despite the increasing number of employees, there are concerns about potential staff shortages in the future.
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Hospitals with the most beds can employ 4,900+ people
The number of employees at a hospital depends on various factors, including location, the number of beds, and the size of the community it serves. The average hospital in the United States employs 982 people in various roles, including physicians, nurses, technicians, cleaners, and catering staff. However, the number of employees at each hospital can vary significantly.
Hospitals with a larger number of beds tend to employ more staff. While hospitals with 6 to 24 beds employ the fewest staff, with an average of 98 employees, the largest hospitals, often located in metropolitan areas, can employ more than 4,900 people. These hospitals have a greater capacity to serve a larger patient population and offer a wider range of services, requiring a more extensive workforce.
The total number of hospital employees in the United States is substantial. As of 2019, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees, contributing to the healthcare sector, which accounts for 14% of total U.S. employment. The healthcare sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with a 1.5% increase in hospital employees from 2021 to 2022.
Among different types of hospitals, general medical, surgical hospitals, and specialty hospitals collectively employ the most people, with just over 7 million workers. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, on the other hand, employ the fewest workers, with approximately 128,900 people. Additionally, public system hospitals tend to employ more physicians, with an average of over 80 physicians, while freestanding hospitals employ around seven physicians.
The number of employees in a hospital is crucial to providing essential services to the community. With the ongoing growth and demand in the healthcare sector, hospitals continue to be significant employers, contributing to economic development and offering career opportunities to a diverse range of professionals.
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The US healthcare sector employs 22 million people
The US healthcare sector is one of the largest employment sectors in the country, employing about 22 million people, which accounts for 14% of total US employment. This number has grown significantly over the past decade, with the healthcare industry adding 2.6 million jobs nationwide, making it the fastest-growing industry in the US. The employment growth rate in the healthcare sector was 22.7%, far outstripping the 2.1% growth rate in all other industries.
The number of hospital employees varies depending on the size of the population and the state. In 2019, there were about 6.6 million hospital employees in the US, with a national ratio of 50 people per hospital employee. Some states, like Puerto Rico, Utah, Nevada, and California, had higher ratios, while the District of Columbia, South Dakota, North Dakota, Massachusetts, and West Virginia had lower ratios.
The healthcare sector includes a wide range of occupations, such as healthcare practitioners (doctors, nurses, and dentists), healthcare technologists (lab technicians, sonographers, paramedics, etc.), and healthcare support workers (nursing assistants, home health aides). Wages for healthcare workers vary across occupation types and metro areas, with practitioners earning the highest, nearly double the average worker's salary.
The pandemic caused high turnover rates among healthcare workers, with many exiting the field for unemployment or different job sectors. However, by the end of 2021, there was an increase in entrants to the healthcare sector, although many were previously unemployed.
The healthcare sector is facing staffing shortages, with a projected shortage of 3.2 million low-wage health workers in the US by 2026. This shortage spans all positions and roles, impacting the quality of patient care.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, each hospital in the US employs 982 people.
There are 22 million workers in the healthcare sector in the US, according to a 2019 report.
Hospitals employ people in dozens of positions, including physicians, nurses, technical specialists, and support staff roles.
The median salary for the healthcare sector in the US is $75,040.
California has the highest ratio of hospital employees to population.
